Civic body in fix over quality of cold mix

Mumbai: Following the allegations of use of poor quality cold-mix material for pothole filling exercise, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued guidelines to the civic officials asking them to ensure stringent check-up of its quality before the use. The cold-mix material should be used after proper testing in the laboratory and only packaged material should be used for pothole repairs, says the guidelines.

Due to heavy rains, several city roads have developed potholes causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians. Corpor-ators have alleged that potholes are remerging on roads even after repairs, as the cold-mix material used for pothole filling works is sub-standard.

Following this, the civic body has issued guidelines to its officials asking them to ensure the standard of cold-mix material.

As per the guidelines, cold-mix brought only in bags shall be used in rains. No bulk supply without proper packaging will be used on any workplace during rains. Hot-mix shall be used only after instructions/orders given by ward officials. During rains, only cold mix will be used.

“Sample for testing shall be sent from site for hot-mix and cold-mix for testing in the laboratory as per the norms. Cold-mix shall be compacted in layers when the depth is more than 25 mm or as directed by the manufacturer,” the guidelines said.

The BMC has also asked the senior road department officials to monitor and inspect at least 10 per cent of the sites of bad patches repair works in their respective wards.

“All the concerned officials are directed to follow the above guidelines with immediate effect. Any lapses observed will be viewed seriously and action will be initiated,” said a senior civic official.